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Close the gap, urges Postecoglou

Melbourne Victory head coach Ange Postecoglou has called on his players to string some wins together and challenge the Hyundai A-League's top two teams.

Melbourne Victory head coach Ange Postecoglou has called on his players to string some wins together and challenge the Hyundai A-League's top two teams.

After a disappointing 2-1 loss away to Western Sydney Wanderers on New Year's Eve, Victory bounced back last week with a 2-0 victory over Wellington Phoenix and Postecoglou wants to continue that form against Central Coast Mariners on Saturday.

Victory will host Central Coast in Launceston and while the league-leading Mariners have only lost once in 12 games, Postecoglou is happy with how his team are tracking.

"We bounced back to form really well last week, really pleased with our performance after our disappointing one at Western Sydney," Postecoglou said.

The Big V sit third in the A-League, three points behind second-placed Adelaide United and seven adrift of the Mariners.

Speaking before Victory's training on Friday, Postecoglou brushed off any concerns about giving up home-ground advantage to play in Tasmania.

"That's part of our strategy at the start of the year," Postecoglou said.

"We knew it was there.

"It's part of the community round and from our point of view it's something we need to deal with.

"Regardless of where you play, the idea is you try and knock off an opponent."

Saturday's game in Launceston will continue Melbourne's three-year deal to take one A-League match per year to the northern Tasmanian city and Postecoglou is looking forward to it.

"We're pleased to go down to Tassie," Postecoglou said.

"Hopefully we get a good turn out and hopefully it becomes like a home game if we get some good support down there."

With the island state devastated by bushfires over the past fortnight, Victory will donate a portion of ticket sales to the Tasmanian Bushfire Appeal.

"It will be good to contribute something to help ease that pain," Postecoglou said.